For some reason, I never covered the ryokan scene on this blog, but some of the best food I ate in Japan was served in ryokan (japanese traditional inns). Hakkei which located in the onsen town of Yubara in Okayama Prefecture is both a good place to enjoy a warm onsen and eat great food.

WARNING !!!I recently went back to Tsumoro and was shocked by the bad service my family received. We were 4 adults, 2 children and a small baby. We ordered 5 dishes and they refused to serve us if we didn’t order another dish for my tiny little niece who was not hungry. The dishes are gigantic.My family has been eating there for many years and it’s our last visit. Now you know, no OMOTENASHI at Tsumoro.

I visited Tsumoro about 7 years ago and never connected the geographical dots until last week: this restaurant is only a couple minutes from my work place. I remembered the great hamburger steak or what the Japanese call hambagu (ハンバーグ), the revisit was so worth it.

珈琲と人 or Coffee to Hito (coffee and people) is a beautiful coffee shop located in Soja not too far from Kokubunji temple. I have ridden my bike, ran and drove my car in front of it for the past 8 years without never noticing it.

Imagine yourself sitting on the couch watching TV with your family and suddenly, the roar of a motorbike and the music of Elvis Presley gets everyone attention. In my area of Kurashiki, the music of Elvis Presley means only one thing: pongashi.

Starbucks is now in Vietnam. I won’t lie to you, the first time I visited Vietnam, I could not imagine Starbucks in the streets of Ho Chi Minh. The streets are changing quickly but I still can’t figure out if it’s for the best.